As a retired U.S. Army general who spent decades confronting terrorism and helping to build security partnerships around the world, I learned one simple lesson: You do not defeat terrorists by depriving your partners of the tools they need to fight them.

Right now, we are seeing two diametrically opposed visions for how to defeat terrorism, one from the Trump administration to support an allied government and ensure the safety of Christians and Muslims alike, and another from Congress that is shockingly counterproductive and dangerous.